Since Audio Adrenaline is releasing a CD today, we thought it would
be a great opportunity to give them a review. But, unfortunately,
it's not their newest, Lift, but their greatest hits collection,
which came out earlier this year. Also, we have a special
announcement, so keep reading!

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HIT PARADE - AUDIO ADRENALINE (2001)
by Ben Forrest

The following was said of Creed recently: "They're not necessarily
trying to change the face of rock music. They're just trying to do
honest, hard-nosed, good rock music. And when I look at each new
record, I say to myself, "by gosh, they've done it again." (Or some
variant of that). The same could be said of Christian group Audio
Adrenaline. The Kentucky-based band has blazed few trails since they
first arrived with "Don't Censor Me" in 1993, but they have made an
honest effort to supply Christian youth with quality rock (and punk
and rap and funk and ska) music. Their greatest hits
collection, "Hit Parade" captures most of the best of it, and
provides an enjoyable trek down memory lane.

The first and most annoying thing that must be noted about Audio
Adrenaline's metamorphoses over the years is that they seem to buck
the trends of the time. Contrary to the view voiced on "Will Not
Fade," one of "Hit Parade's" two original tracks ("What I am/And who
I am/Is never going to change," the band seems either unwilling or
unable to formulate an identity. They sound alternately like Jane's
Addiction, Sublime ("Mighty Good Leader"), Pearl Jam ("Man of God"),
Rage Against the Machine ("Zombie") and the Cherry Poppin' Daddies
("DC-10") at different times throughout this album. And it's likely
not a coincidence that AA has imitated them on albums released
shortly after those bands made it big. The only truly original songs
to be found are "Hands and Feet " and a couple of forgettables. It
seems as though "Hit Parade" was made off the successes of others.

That is, of course, not to diminish the impact or ministry of this
band. They have very successfully catered to a market in need of
family-friendly and inspiring alternatives to secular acts. It just
seems as though they've kept afloat in the business trying to be all
of them.

The second observation that must be made is that this album is that
it's been made after only five major studio albums. Since the group
has not published plans to leave their label, it seems confounding
that they would think the market (or their fans) needed this. The
memories of 1999's "Underdog" are still fresh in mind, and one
wonders why nearly a third of "Parade" would be dedicated to songs
from that album.

Nearly another third of the album is taken up by songs from "Bloom,"
the group's 1996 breakout hit. The rest is mainly filler from the
lean early years ("Big House" and the thanks-so-much-for-stating-the-
obvious anthem "We're a Band" are contributed from "Don't Censor Me")
and that off year in which "Some Kind of Zombie" was released
("Blitz," "Chevette" and the title track all find their way onto this
album.

The highlights? "Get Down" and the aforementioned "Hands and Feet"
from "Underdog." But nothing you haven't heard before, and nothing
you couldn't listen to on your old CDs. Both new tracks, "Will Not
Fade" and "One Like You" show an obvious step forward in songwriting,
and only serve to heighten anticipation of the upcoming "Lift." The
former is an anthem that begins with promise (the opening hooks are
truly enticing) but sags where the meat is. In it, lead singer Mark
Stewart ensures his audience and his Maker that he will not be shaken
from who he is and what he stands for; that he'll let Christ's light
shine. The latter is a sauntering, mid-tempo rocker; a "thank You"
tune that reflects on the group's first eight years, thanking the
Father for all of the success that's come so far.

The pattern throughout this album though is clear. Audio Adrenaline
continues to get better with each new album. The new tracks on "Hit
Parade" aren't quite good enough that you'll want to buy the album
just for them. But it comes close. Pick this up if you've never
heard the band, or if you're a die-hard fan. Otherwise, there's not
much for you.

Find out more about Audio Adrenaline at cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/rock/audioadrenaline


AVAILABLE TODAY (at cMusicWeb.com or your local music store)

ELECTRIC BOOGALOO - FIVE IRON FRENZY
Although I said it came out a month or so ago, I was wrong. It was
pushed back to here, so check it out. It's new Five Iron music, but
there's not too much new about it.

LIFE - ZOEGIRL
One of the first girl-pop groups to release a sophomore album, this
one is just a bunch of the same old pop stuff. Nothing impressive.

LIFT - AUDIO ADRENALINE
A bit more rock than their last release, Underdog, this disc brings
more of Audio Adrenaline's trademark sound, still with a bit of
worshipful tinge to the songs.

REVIVAL - PETRA
The rock just doesn't die. This time, Petra is back with more
worship in the style of the Petra Praise albums, but a more updated
sound. So, if you were looking for more of More Power to Ya or This
Means War, don't expect John Schlitt and co. to deliver.

THE NIGHT WE CALLED IT A DAY - DEEPSPACE 5
A mega quintet of uprok Records artists, this disc brings more of
your favorite rap music from such names as Mars Ill and the Ill
Harmonics, plus there's probably some special appearances from other
of the big heads in rap.

THE WAY I AM - JENNIFER KNAPP
Lyrically, this is the most real and honest release from the
Knappster yet. Oh, and don't worry about the musical quality
either! Producer Tony McAnany beefs up her rock sound to include an
orchestra and some of the best session players in the music
industry. The Way I Am is a PICK OF THE WEEK that you cannot afford
to miss.

WEATHERED - CREED
These soul-searching rockers are not Christians, but one of the
better thinkers in the world of popular rock. This new disc is no
exception, with quality musicianship and lyrics that explore human
spirituality and search for the Truth.


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View all the latest stories on cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/


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